Question

purpose for reading: the following passage is the opening scene of bernard shaws play pygmalion, which explores themes of social class and gender norms in england during the early 1900s. pay close attention to the dialogue between characters and consider the question: \how does the setting amplify the characters frustrations and societal differences?\ excerpt from pygmalion, by bernard shaw act i covent garden at 11.15 p.m. torrents of heavy summer rain. cab whistles blowing frantically in all directions. pedestrians running for shelter into the market and under the portico of st. pauls church, where there are already several people, among them a lady and her daughter in evening dress. they are all peering out gloomily at the rain, except one man with his back turned to the rest, who seems wholly preoccupied with a notebook in which he is writing busily. the church clock strikes the first quarter. what does the word \torrents\ in this context most likely mean? loud thunder strong wind gentle rain heavy downpour

Explanation:

The word "torrents" is used to describe the rain. We know from the context "torrents of heavy summer rain" that it is related to rain. "Heavy downpour" is a synonym for a large amount of rain falling quickly, which matches the description. "Loud thunder" is about sound, "strong wind" is about air movement, and "gentle rain" is the opposite of what "torrents" implies here.

Answer:

Heavy downpour